This isn't really the standard "how little can I spend and get away with it" question. Right now I have narrowed it down to 3 in particular. All should provide years of hassle free welding. I just cant decide which will be better in the long run and be most useful. I currently do NOT have 220 in my garage but it is very doable...I need to wire a sub feed out there anyway for more 120 outlets.

Just from experience I have always liked the Lincoln brand for just about anything. Miller parts can be harder to get in a pinch or on a weekend. Between the two lincolns I guess you gotta decide if you need portability or not? For me, of those three I would get the Ideal Arc.

The old portable Lincolns are freaking sweet and run the best beads you will ever see. Miller and Hobart are the same now so parts are not too big a deal. If you have no use for the portable then get the 220 version and you will still love it.

I was devising a plan to mount the portable Lincoln on the Jeep trailer but space is at a premium and tongue weight is a concern. My tow rig is a WJ It would be great to have a generator at the house for those big storms that sometimes leave you without power for days.

The Miller dial arcs have sentimental value because that was the welder I first learned with and use most days in the plant...I know the abuse we put them through and the still keep burning rod well. Plus since we service our own there parts are easy to get.

We have a Round top Ideal arc in our electrical room that I just built a locker/instrumentation test bench with and it ran great. I can only expect this one to run as good.